Anyone know when the first oil-change should be done on the smart? I've heard 10K. Also, is it ok to use synthetic oil in the smart and is it recommended?

Thanks Bob. Just making sure since a 10,000 mile oil-change is still new to me.

The smell is odd because although I know about the protective coating, I've got over 1000 miles on the car. I'll see if anything is leaking or burning...unusual.

How difficult is it to change the oil yourself? Is it worth it?

Good on ya for doing it yourself! Ok, I shouldn't be too worried about it then since I've been changing motorcycle oil. I'll stick with Mobil-1 as well methinks.

OH DEAR!  You need to get that cleared out.  It took me about a hundred tries, but I finally cleared mine.

Here's what I did:
CLOSED the door!  (this apparently matters!!)

1: turn key on to position1
2: turn key off
3 turn key on to position 1
4: double click left button to bring up service interval (do not hold button in on last click)
5: turn key off
6: press and hold in firmly left button
7: turn key on to position 1 keep button held in firmly until resets

Again, it may take quite a few tries, so  first of all be sure to write down the miles on your trip odometer if you are keeping a log!!  You WILL reset it to zero a few times in the course of trying to reset the maintenance indicator!!

We do the 10k service at our shop, but "suggest" that folks change the oil around 8K. Oil change is cheap insurance.

When we change the oil we use Mobil 1 0/40.

Changing the oil & filter yourself is easy.  You don't even have to jack up the car.  The hard part is re-setting the wrench symbol on the dash.  I gave up after trying the procedure several times and took my car to smart Center, Cerritos, where they re-set the wrench for free after I showed them receipts for the oil and filter I purchased.  smart Center, West Covina would not re-set the wrench symbol unless they did the oil change and charge you for this as well.  I also recommend changing the transmission fluid.  This is real easy to do.  I used Mobil 1 75w-90 gearlube.  You will also need a gearlube pump with a small diameter tube that you can purchase at your local autoparts store.  The transmission seems to shift smoother even after the 2.0 upgrade which I did before changing the gearlube.